MAIGARI TO MEDIA: Save Eagles from robbers

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Aminu Maigari has appealed to the media not to make the issue of what Super Eagles players and coaches earn from match bonuses news items since such disclosures endanger their lives and that of family members.

Maigari revealed this to select members of the pressmen in Lagos on Friday stressing that such disclosures make the players and officials targets for armed robbers, kidnappers and other evil-minded people.

“Some of the things that we publish about these players especially their earnings and what we give them as bonuses endanger their lives. They complain to me most times and I feel for them given some of the things that have happened to them arising from what these criminals read about them and hear of them in the media. In fact, the players have approached us severally to complain. Thye told us of how they live in fear anytime they are in the country. And it is not good. I want the media men to consider these players’ pleas even if you say that such stories make your platform to remain in business.

“On my part, I have appealed to my members not to disclose what we pay these players. But I get angry when I read the figures in the media. I know that the General Secretary, of course he is a lawyer, won’t tell anyone or my members. I have warned the workers in the NFF not to divulge such information.

“Look at what happened to me for instance with one media man. He walked up to me asking why we were owing the coaches for three months. I asked if the coaches laid the complaints to him and if he had their permission to ask me the question. I inquired from him if he had been paid salaries in the last three months because I also read in a gossip magazine that his medium was owing staff salaries. He laughed and we both walked away.

“I was shocked when he ‘broke’ a story that Maigari confirms indebtedness to Eagles coaches to the tune of N60 million. I was livid with anger. You can imagine that situation. And that is the reason why I don’t get angry with my people when I read such news in the media.

“We will not shirk our duties to ensure that our players get the best in terms of their welfare, but please save them from evil people by keeping such personal issues out of the media. You can celebrate their goals. You can write about their families and what they have achieved. But please, leave out their earnings,” Maigari said.

Last year, the father of Chelsea and Super Eagles midfield pearl, John Obi Mikel was abducted in Jos. Out-of-favour Super Eagles ace Christian Obodo was kidnapped in Delta State a few months ago, while Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo’s younger brother also suffered the same fate. All were eventually freed by security agencies.